Fantasy News and Notes – McCoy and Charles Dinged

LeSean McCoy – McCoy missed practice earlier this week with what the team is calling minor turf toe. Turf toe can be a very difficult injury for football players to deal with because it tends to linger so there is some reason for concern here. That said, the team doesn’t seem to be terribly worried and McCoy has already returned to practice so fantasy owners shouldn’t panic. At this point McCoy is still my #1 overall player, but if he misses any more time I might move him behind Charles at least.

Jamaal Charles – Speaking of Charles, the Chiefs’ star running back injured his foot while moving out of a training camp dorm. Coach Andy Reid told the media that Charles foot slipped on a grassy slope and rolled over on the curb. MRI’s came up clean so the injury doesn’t appear serious, but it’s something to keep an eye on should Charles miss any more pre-season games.

Montee Ball – Returned to Broncos practice after undergoing an appendectomy at the beginning of August. Ball participated in non-contact drills only, but it’s a step in the right direction and he should be ready for week 1. Ball’s fantasy stock has dropped a few spots since the surgery, moving him in to value territory as long as he has no setbacks.

Bishop Sankey – There is some concern in Titans camp that the rookie running back has now fumbled in each of the team’s first two pre-season games. Ken Whisenhunt told the media that he has no plans to bench Sankey, but this could become a major issue if he can’t hold on to the rock in regular season games. If Sankey continues to struggle and with Shonn Greene nicked up, keep an eye on Dexter McCluster as a late round gamble… Whisenhunt could be planning to use him in the role he used Danny Woodhead last year while he was the OC in San Diego.

Odell Beckham – Beckham suffered a setback with the hamstring injury that has held him out of most of the Giants training camp. Rookie receivers have a difficult road ahead of them already, but missing camp is a big blow to his fantasy production. Beckham is a nice target in dynasty leagues but he should be considered nothing more than a late round long shot in redraft leagues.

Brian Hoyer – Was named the Browns starting QB for week 1, with rookie Johnny Manziel struggling in his first two pre-season games. That said, Hoyer didn’t look terribly impressive either so I would anticipate that we will see Johnny Football on the field sooner rather than later.

Jets QBs – Rex Ryan told the media that he’s not ready to name a starting quarterback just yet. This is a change from earlier in the off-season when he told everyone that Geno Smith was his guy. I’ve been on record as saying that I think Mike Vick will start the majority of the games this year with Rex’s job on the line, but neither is a great fantasy asset in all but the deepest of leagues.

Santonio Holmes – The former Steelers and Jets receiver signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Bears for the veteran minimum. Holmes has a shot at the third receiver job in the high flying offense in place of the injured Marquess Wilson. I wouldn’t spend any more than a very late draft pick on Holmes at this point, but he’s a player to monitor given the offense.

JJ Watt – The Texans (and possibly the NFL’s) most valuable defensive player told the media that he feels he’s outplayed his rookie contract and is seeking a new deal. There was no mention of a holdout and Watt has two years left on his deal, but it’s something to keep an eye on if things get testy.